Marathon friends are the best

I got to Fleet Feet Saturday morning ready to run more this week than I did last week. Fran and Bobbie kept me going. Here comes the mushy part: If you don't have someone you're running with on these long runs, get to know someone and run with them. I couldn't have done any of the long runs, short runs, or two marathons by myself. I think about all of the wonderful friends I've made in just the last two years who would do anything for me. Well, almost anything. Last year, when I got the teaching job at Richland, Carol, Sally, and Hallie didn't hesitate meeting me at 5am instead of six on Tues/Thurs. so I could run before school. Last Saturday's run was really enjoyable; not because of the running, not because of the scenery or the hills, but because I got to run with Bobbie and Fran. Fran and her husband, Andy ran most of Chicago with me last year. What a fun time we had; from singing Happy Birthday to my Mom in B'ham via cell phone to seeing all of the old people in the windows of a retirement home waving and cheering us on. These are things the three of us will never forget. Find someone that goes your speed and strike up a conversation. You'll probably find out you know some of the same people or have some of the same interests. Heck, the whole group has one thing in common; we're all crazy for training and running a marathon. Yeah, there are times I like running, just my itunes Slvr phone and me, but most of the time it's the people you run with that make this experience so enjoyable.
The ten miles was good, but the hills toward the end were hard. I was ready for it to be over by the time we got back to Fleet Feet. It's a nice route. I met Sally and Carol yesterday for four plus miles. I can tell the running is getting easier, but I have a ways to go. Hope everyone has a great run this Saturday. Remember, run your own race and don't over do.

Those that blog, jog

I made myself get out of the bed and go run with Sally, Carol, and Jody yesterday. The hardest part is getting out of bed and getting the running clothes on. I knew if I was going to get back on the wagon and stay on, this was the day I needed to go run. It felt great to be out there with them again. You see, before I started teaching and was part-time at the hospital, I met them religiously at 6am on Tues/Thurs. I have run very sporadically since January 22nd and my breathing let me know it. My body felt pretty good, but this was the first time I got really out of breath since probably two years ago. I plan on doing the ten miles tomorrow, but will do them really slowly. Now that my Saturdays look fairly free, I look forward to getting to know more of the group. Wish I could take Clark and Jana up on their message board offer of Macaroni Grill tonight, but I have a date with my son and his church youth group to go see Pirates tonight. I don't know whose more excited, me or Kurt. See everyone tomorrow at Fleet Feet.

School's Out for Summer!!!!!!!!! Yipeeeee!!!!!!!!

To quote Alice Cooper, "School's Out for Summer!" It's nice to be on a school schedule like the rest of my family. My last symphony concert is on the square in Canton tomorrow night. Then I will be free, free, free. Now I will have no excuse not too run and XT on a regular basis. It's been a very busy school year. With rehearsals and concerts at night, and teaching all day, it's been very difficult to make the time to workout.
My half-marathon at Disneyland is almost fourteen weeks away. My old college friend is on the waiting list for the five county area near Disney and will find out if she can get in June 1st. I kind of wish I was doing Chicago, but I think it will be good to do Disney World this year and maybe do Chicago again next year.
I'm meeting Sally and Carol tomorrow morning at 6am. That's about all I'll do is meet them, because they will be so far ahead of me, I won't see them until they pass me on their way back to Lakeshore Park. Part of me wants to sleep late, but I know it's time to get at it and start back training regularly. Hope to see eveyone this Saturday. I won't feel as much like a weekend warrior as I did last weekend. With some of you having bad days this week, that means Saturday's ten miler will be great